Rightly famed for its flour-soft beaches, sapphire seas and celestial sunsets, Mauritius comes pretty close to paradise. And while we expect you’ll want nothing more than a sun lounger and a cold cocktail in hand, there’s a lot more to Mauritius than its impossibly crystalline waters and palm-tree-punctuated beach resorts. Read on for some of our favourite things to do in Mauritius…
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
Budding botanists, this one’s for you. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) Botanical Gardens are some of the best in the world. Boasting palms of all varieties and forms, its centrepiece lilies – the giant Victoria amazonica – unfold into impressive six-and-a-half-foot trays, and tree species delight with names such as the sausage, fish poison and marmalade box. There’s abundant wildlife here, too, from bright Madagascar fodies to giant Aldabra tortoises. And the best news? The gardens can be easily reached from anywhere on the island.
Le Morne
Mauritius holidays aren’t complete without a day trip to Le Morne. A rugged mountain so beautiful that UNESCO had to get in on the action, Le Morne sits to the southwest of the island, jutting into the Indian Ocean. Thanks to its isolated and almost inaccessible cliffs, the mountain became a safe haven for slaves during the 18th century. Mauritius became known as the ‘Maroon Republic’ owing to the many escaped slaves who sought refuge on Le Morne Mountain. One of the most memorable things to do in Mauritius is to retrace their steps on a challenging, almost five-mile trek to the mountain’s summit. Alternatively, stick to its picturesque palm-fringed beach, just 15 miles from Black River Gorges National Park.
Eureka House
Understanding a country’s history is an important part of any trip, and a Mauritius holiday is no different. Where better to get to know the island nation’s colonial past than the perfectly preserved, 19th-century Creole mansion, Eureka House? A shining example of tropical construction, it boasts rooms adorned with impeccably preserved period furniture, antique maps from the French East India Company, and (fun fact time), over 108 doors. When you’ve had enough architecture, there are manicured grounds, stone cottages and the enchanting Ravin waterfall just a 15-minute walk away.
Sub scooter adventures
Fancy something a little more active? Enter the sub scooter – a cross between a submarine and an (underwater) scooter. These James Bond-esque contraptions are operated entirely by you, either alone or as a couple, and venture down to a depth of three metres below sea level. Fear not, you don’t have to be a diver to try it out. Your head is encased in a big transparent dome, so you can breathe normally and even chat away about what you can see. Trips last for about 40 minutes and offer incredible 360-degree panoramic views, taking in the local marine life and reef.
Rhumerie de Chamarel
Learn all about the country’s locally produced rum at the Rhumerie de Chamarel, a distillery in the heart of a fertile valley in the southwest of the island. This is one of Mauritius' most popular tourist attractions, thanks to the vibrant surrounding landscape and sprawling plantations abundant with sugar cane and tropical fruits. At Rhumerie de Chamarel, you’ll go behind the scenes with experienced guides, learn all about the rum-making process, and of course sample the variety of rums produced. The distillery also has its own wonderful restaurant 'L'Alchimiste', if you fancy making a day of it. For alcohol aficionados, this is one of the best things to do in Mauritius.
